HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9332INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
No. 9332
December 7, 2010
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION USER FEE PROJECT INITIATION
The agenda for your December 7 Council meeting includes a resolution directing staff to
commence with the development of a Transportation User Fee. A Transportation User Fee was
first proposed by the 2009 "Development Costs and Transportation Infrastructure Funding Study"
prepared for the City of Fort Worth and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce by Willdan Financial
Services. That study identified a $1.8 billion transportation infrastructure need over the next ten
years including existing capacity deficiencies, anticipated development and deferred
maintenance.
In August, 2010, the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Transportation Infrastructure
recommended the establishment of a Transportation User Fee as a critical component of its 5-
Year Local Transportation Funding Plan. The fee would apply to residential and non - residential
land uses based on trip generation and would generate approximately $31 million annually.
Cumulatively, the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force would address nearly 60% of
the transportation funding gap over ten years.
In October, the Infrastructure and Transportation Committee supported creation of the proposed
Transportation User Fee after receiving a preliminary project schedule and estimated project
costs. The current schedule targets July 2011 for ordinance adoption and October 2011 to begin
collections. Project costs are estimated at $1.241.5 million to be funded through a loan from the
General Fund fund balance and repaid within two years from the start of collections. Staff is now
seeking final direction from the full City Council to proceed with development of the proposed
transportation user fee.
Upon direction to proceed, staff will execute consultant contracts for the utility rate analysis, legal
support, and IT support, including appropriation of funding from the General Fund fund balance;
develop a multi -year program and annual budget for transportation improvements; hire and train
temporary and permanent staff; develop a public outreach campaign; and draft a corresponding
ordinance. Staff will seek City Council approval for consultant contracts in early 2011 and will
present the results of the utility rate analysis in the spring. The current project schedule
anticipates public hearings beginning in June, 2011 and ordinance adoption in July.
Da a A. Fisseler, P.E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS